Lab Hazard Assessment Tool

PPE Selection Guide

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Phone: 310-825-5689 Fax: 310-825-7076 www.ehs.ucla.edu

This document is to be used as a supplement to the Lab Hazard Assessment Tool in the selection of
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appropriate PPE for the laboratory.

Applicable PPE

Specific type (example)

Characteristics

Applications

Powdered or unpowdered

Working with biological

hazards (human blood,
body fluids, tissues,
blood borne pathogens,
specimens), BSL-1,
BSL-2, BSL-2+, BSL-3

Puncture, abrasion
resistant, protection
from splash hazards

Working with Biological

Hazards and chemical
splash hazards

Economical, durable,
similar to latex

Biological Hazards,
BSL-1, BSL-2, BSL-2+,
BSL-3

Chemical resistant,
liquid-proof

Working with small

volumes of corrosive
liquids, organic
solvents, flammable
organic compounds

Chemical resistant,
good puncture, cut,
and abrasion
resistance

Apparatus under
pressure, air or water
reactive chemicals

Disposable latex gloves

Disposable nitrile gloves

Light latex, vinyl
or nitrile gloves

Disposable vinyl gloves

Natural rubber latex

Light chemical
resistant gloves
Nitrile gloves
Light to heavy
chemical resistant
gloves
Butyl gloves
High permeation
resistance to most
chemicals
Heavy chemical
resistant gloves

Large volumes of
organic solvents, small
to large volumes of
dangerous solvents,
acutely toxic or
hazardous materials

Viton II gloves
High permeation
resistance to most
chemicals

Same as butyl gloves,

plus hazardous material
spills

Products illustrated can be purchased from numerous manufacturers and/or suppliers, including, but not
limited to, Laboratory Safety Supply, Fisher Scientific, VWR, Cole Parmer and others.
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PPE Selection Guide

Applicable PPE

Specific type (example)

Characteristics

Applications

Extra chemical and

mechanical protection

Same as butyl and

Viton II gloves, added
mechanical protection,
hazardous material
spills

Heat resistant

Working with hot liquids

and equipment, open
flames, water bath, oil
bath

Water resistant or
water proof, protection
against ultra-cold
temperatures

Cryogenic liquids
handling

Cut resistant

Working with live

animals

Chemical splash
protection, good
abrasion resistance

Working with apparatus

under pressure, air or
water reactive
chemicals, large
volumes of corrosive
liquids

Chemical resistant,
tear resistant

Water or air reactive

chemicals, large
volumes of corrosive
liquids, small to large
volumes of acutely toxic
corrosives

Butyl/Silver Shield gloves

and apron
Heavy chemical
resistant gloves
(cont.)

Terrycloth autoclave gloves

Insulated gloves
Cryogen gloves

Wire mesh gloves

Rubber-coated wash apron

Chemical resistant
apron

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Neoprene apron and sleeves

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PPE Selection Guide

Applicable PPE

Specific type (example)

Characteristics

Applications

Protects skin and

clothing from dirt, inks,
non-hazardous
chemicals

General use; Chemical,

Biological, Radiation,
and Physical Hazards

Flame resistant (e.g.

Nomex or flameresistant cotton)

Working with water or

air reactive chemicals,
large volumes of
organic solvents,
potentially explosive
chemicals

Polycarbonate lens,
side shields for eye
protection. Meets ANSI
and OSHA
specifications

Working with chemical,

biological, radiation,
physical hazards.
Laboratory work

Tight fitting, protects

eyes from impact,
spray, paint,
chemicals, flying chips,
dust particles
Polycarbonate lens,
indirect ventilation,
meets ANSI and
OSHA specifications

Working with large

volumes of corrosive
liquids, small to large
volumes of acutely toxic
corrosives
Working with large
volumes of organic
solvents, acutely toxic
or hazardous
chemicals, apparatus
under pressure, air or
water reactive
chemicals

Appropriately shaded
goggles; optical
density based on
beam parameters

Working with Class 3 or

Class 4 lasers

Knee length lab coats

Lab coats
Flame resistant lab coat

Safety glasses

Tight fitting goggles

Goggles
Laser Goggles

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PPE Selection Guide

Applicable PPE

Specific type (example)

Face shield

Safety shield

Characteristics

Applications

Chemical resistant
face shield

For use with mild acids,

caustics, aromatic
hydrocarbons,
methylene chloride.
For use when splash
hazard. For use when
using air or water
reactive or potentially
explosive chemicals

Acrylic, weighted
shield, three sided, ac
Benchtop shield,
acrylic, frosted edges

Protects from chemical

splash, beta radiation,
exposure to bloodborne
pathogens

Used for bacterial

filtration

Working with live

animals; working with
infectious material in
BSL-2+ level lab

Protects against dusts,

fumes, mists,
microorganisms

Working with live

animals; dusty
environments

Air purifying respirator

protects against variety
of particulates, vapors,
dust, mists, fumes;
depends on filter
cartridge used

Working with live

animals; dusty
environments; chemical
vapors; particulates

Same as half- face, but

with greater protection
factor, and greater
protection of eyes and
face; depends on filter
cartridge used

Working with live

animals,
microorganisms, dusty
environments; chemical
vapors; particulates

Air supplying
respirator; delivers
steady supply of
filtered air with loose
fitting hoods

Working in BSL 3
environment

Surgical masks

N-95

Half face

Respirators

Full face

PAPR

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PPE Selection Guide